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04/06/2012 - Advanced Heat Storage SBRI Competition Now Open

The Advanced Heat Storage SBRI Competition is designed to assess the performance of advanced thermal storage in buildings, which can be integrated with heat technologies to help balance peak loads to the energy grid.

Projects that will assess the viability of compact heat storage materials as an effective means of mitigating potential strain on the electricity grid by increasing low carbon heat technologies (such as heat pumps) will be funded. Through the programme, the sponsor also wishes to learn about the potential of compact advanced heat storage mechanisms as a solution for the domestic sector, for example in addressing spatial constraints for heat storage in UK homes and ensuring comfort and safety.

Successful applicants will be offered a contract of up to £30,000 to produce a feasibility study in Phase 1. Successful Phase 1 studies will be invited to apply for Phase 2. Phase 2 demonstration funding is likely to be in the range of £100,000 to £500,000.

The following project costs can be funded:

  • Labour costs for all those contributing to the project broken down by individual
  • Material costs (including consumables specific to the project)
  • Capital equipment costs
  • Sub-contract costs
  • Travel and subsistence
  • General office and basic laboratory consumables
  • Library services/learning resources
  • Typing/secretarial
  • Finance, personnel, public relations and departmental services
  • Central and distributed computing
  • Cost of capital employed
  • Overheads

The competition is open to any organisation, but is particularly targeted at manufacturers of advanced storage materials, universities and product providers. The sponsor is encouraging collaboration across the supply chain (heat exchangers, controls) and will look for evidence in competition applications to demonstrate the integration of thermal stores with low carbon heating systems in later demonstration phases.

Applicants are requested to register by 3 August 2012. The deadline for full applications is 17 August 2012.

Click here for more details (opens in new window).

Source: decc.gov.uk, 01/06/2012

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